Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Sauria | |
Nessia burtonii, commonly known as Burton's nessia, the three-toed snake skink, or Gray's snake skink, is a species of skink endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.
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Etymology
The specific name, burtonii, is in honor of British army surgeon Edward Burton (1790–1867).
Habitat and geographic range
A burrowing skink found in the wet zone of Sri Lanka, N. burtonii is widely distributed at 30–300 m (98–984 ft) at Gampola, Veyangoda, Lunawa, Mathugama, Kuruwita, Rakwana, and Kadugannawa.
Description
Midbody scales rows 24-26. Body slender and of equal girth from head to tail. Snout acute. Each limb with three tiny clawed toes, hence the common name. The dorsum is brown or light reddish brown, each scale with a darker edge. The venter is creamy or may be gray.
Ecology and diet
N. burtonii hides during the day, under rubble, decaying logs, and in leaf litter within submontane forests, up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft). When exposed, it immediately wriggles into loose soil or under rubble. When caught, it regurgitates its food, presumably as a predator-deflection response. It forages at night on insects and possibly earthworms.
Reproduction
Two eggs are laid in loose soil.